Amid 'Sardarji 3' row, now 'Chal Mera Putt 4' on radar over casting prominent Pakistani actors
PTC News Desk: Amid the controversy erupting over Sardar Ji 3 over casting, now the entire spotlight will be on another major Punjabi film, Chal Mera Putt 4 which is slated for theatrical release on August 1 featuring prominent Pakistani actors.
Amongst the Pakistani actors one name that is most likely to trigger a row is Iftikhar Thakur after he sparked a controversy with his remarks over Pahalgam attack. Appearing on a Pakistani talk show, Thakur warned India, saying, “If you come through the air, you’ll be blown away in the wind. If you come through the sea, you’ll be drowned in water. If you come by land, you’ll be buried.”
Thakur's remarks drew massive criticism from across the Punjabi industry with growing calls to boycott Pakistani actors in Punjabi cinema. In June, a video of Thakur further stoked anger when he claimed, “We are the reason these films work. They have no right to boycott us… It is we who should boycott them. I have signed 16 of their films, and they have invested over ₹300 crore in me. They made nine films without casting us, and all nine were flops.”
The film franchise has long been known for its satirical comedy and cross-border collaborations featuring popular Pakistani artists like Iftikhar Thakur, Nasir Chinyoti, and Akram Udas, who have become staples of its comedic storyline about Punjabis struggling abroad.
Meanwhile the row over Sardar Ji 3 erupted over casting Pakistani actress Hania Aamir after strained diplomatic relations between India and Pakistan over Pahalgam attack and subsequent response by India under the banner of Operation Sindoor. The film was slated for overseas released on June 27 skipping India.
- PTC NEWS